Know Thy Relations

The Indians have different terms for paternal and maternal relationship in their language. which the British lack. For example, according to our customs our father’s younger brother is called Kaka and his wife is called Kaki, Similarly, our father’s elder brother is called Mota Bapuji (Ada) and his wife is called Motaba. But according to the British relationship terminology both Kaka and Mota Bapuji is referred as Uncle. Kaki and Motaba is referred as Aunt (Auntie).

Instead of using Uncle-Auntie or Cousin the following biological index would be helpful for our younger generation, born or brought up in this country, to learn and understand our way of addressing the relations. It will enhance the real meaning of our relations which will be helpful in retaining the richness of our traditional cultural unity and its values.

Relation

Meaning

Ada (Mota Bapuji)

Father’s elder brother

Baa (Maa)

Mother

Bahen

Sister

Banevi (Jeejaji)

Sister’s husband (applicable to both husband and wife)

Bapuji (Pitaji)

Father

Bhai

Elder or younger brother

Bhabhi

Elder or Younger brother’s wife

Bhanej

Sister’s son or daughter

Bhatrija

Brother’s son (nephew)

Bhatriji

Brother’s daughter (niece)

Dada

Grandfather

Dadima

Grandmother

Der (Diyaar)*

Husband’s younger brother

Derani*

Husband’s younger brother’s wife

Dikro (Putra)

Son

Dikri (Putri)

Daughter

Fai (Faibaa)

Father’s sister

Fuaa

Father’s sister’s husband

Jamai

Son-in-law

Jeth*

Husband’s elder brother

jethani*

Husband’s elder brother’s wife

Kaka

Father’s younger brother

Kaki

Father’s younger brother’s wife

Mama

Mother’s elder or younger brother

Mami

Mother’s elder or younger brother’s wife

Masa

Mother’s elder or younger sister’s husband

Masi

Mother’s elder or younger sister

Motaba

Father’s elder brother’s wife

Motabapu

Father’s elder brother

Nanabapu

Mother’s father

Nanimma

Mother’s Mother

Nannand*

Husband’s elder or younger sister

Nanndoya*

Husband’s elder or younger sister’s husband

Patti

Husband

Pattani

Wife

Sala

Wife’s elder or younger brother

Sali

Wife’s elder or younger sister

Sadhubhai

Wife’s elder or younger sister’s husband

Sasara

Spouse’s father (applicable to both husband and wife)

Sasu

Spouse’s mother (applicable to both husband and wife)

Var*

Husband

Vahu

Daughter-in-law

Vevai

Son or Daughter-in-law’s father

Vevaan

Son or Daughter-in-law’s mother

* Applicable to married women only
JI – Suffix of respect when addressing the spouse’s relatives (i.e. Kakaji, Mamaji, Fuaaji)

This article originally appeared in the Federation of Sri Bardai Brahmin Samajs UK Diwali Souvenir 2002 Directory. Sri Bardai Brahmin Samaj (Leicester) UK is grateful to Mr Anantbhai J Dave from London (UK) for granting permission to reproduce it on bardaionline.

Source of Information: History of the Indians of E. A. Anant J Dave (Founder President of Bardai Brahmin Samnaj – London)